How does one actually tag a white shark? Is a rod and reel used?
There are several ways.
The State of Mass. hires a spotter plane to locate the shark, Then a hired harpoon boat is directed to the shark by the airplane pilot. The tag is placed on the tip of a specialized harpoon pole. The harpoon boat comes up behind the shark and the tag anchor dart is jammed into the shark. the shark swims off with he tag, and the harpoon pole is retrieved.
Chis Fischer on the Ocearch a large vessel, uses a hook and bait to hook the shark ,the shark is then pulled back over the submerged platform. They can also Pull the shark onto the platform by using a small boat. The platform is raised slightly out of the water with the shark on it. The crew places a hose in the mouth of the shark to keep water on its gills - blood is taken and a spot tag is bolted to the dorsal fin. The platform is then submerged and the shark swims off. -Tom